FROM OUR EXPERTS

Periactin (generic name cyproheptadine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine. It is commonly used for relief of allergic nasal symptoms. It is also prescribed for relief of cluster headaches and migraine headaches.

Appetite enhancement and weight gain are associated with this drug. I often warn my patients about this. Fatigue and sedation may also be associated with Periactin.

You should review all the potential adverse effects of this medication and discuss the use of it, for weight gain, with your family physician. A prescription will be required.

Our son is on 150mg of Zoloft (in AM), a stimulant; 3/4 mg of Klonopin in the early evening (the higher the dose the more difficult it is getting him awake in the AM) and he takes periactin morning and night (has gained 20lbs in 3 months!).

Question: we're thinking of reducing the periactin to 1 pill/day. Would the best time be in the AM or PM to reduce the difficulty wakening him in the AM? I thought that giving it at night would help get him to sleep and sleep soundly, but does that make it harder for him to wake up? On the other hand, if he takes it in the AM, does that cause him fatigue during the day?

Yes, Josephine... They appear to be the same drug, available in different parts of the world. This is also the type of question you could ask your local pharmacist, if you wanted an immediate answer. :)
Take care,
Kathi
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My wife was only able to have a big appetite and able to gain weight when she was pregnant. She loved her enthusiasm for food during this time and liked the effects it had on her figure and being able to fill out her clothes better. Sadly, she lost all her pregnancy weight plus more soon after the children were toddlers, she can't maintain any weight gain and does not have a huge appetite now.

She has been looking for a way to increase her appetite in hopes to gain some weight.

She is probably 10-15 Lbs. underweight currently.

You mentioned of a weight gain of 2-3 Lbs. in a week (was that a 4mg dose twice a day or something else?)

Can one anticipate this gain to remain taking it for more than two months +?

I have read that it tapers off after a couple of months, what is your experience and how much was your total gain and for how long.

Did you or have any drowsy symptoms or were you just really tired at night time? Did it stabilize any nervous energy like I have heard?

Hi. I was 24 years old, 4'11" & 92lbs when I started taking periactin. I too have trouble keeping weight outside of pregnancy. I started taking periactin in 2mg doses twice daily to help with the drowsiness & over three weeks worked up to 4mg doses three times a day. (After my body got accustomed to the drug the drowsiness went away). I also noticed that it made me quite moody as well. Was taking it with Vitamin B supplements & my doctor also reccomended drinking Ensure or Boost after my meals so I did that as well. (Boost Plus was better for me;tasted better & had more calories & carbs for less money). It started helping me with weight gain about 2 weeks into the therapy. My appetite was CRAZY! I started gaining about 3 pounds per week & got up to 105 lbs which was the most i weighed since 10th grade! I was aiming at a weight goal of 110lbs but never got there. The therapy slowed down & my weight gain came to a halt. My doctor didnt want to increase my dosage any further & after about 2 months the therapy stopped working for me. My appetite wasn't as great anymore & the weight slowly started coming off. Stopped taking it after the 4th month. Kind of didnt see the point anymore. Three months later I was down to 97lbs but got pregnant again so wasnt worried about it anymore. Of course here I am now, my daughter is 18 months & I'm 89lbs. Have made an appointment with my doctor again. Just can't take being this skinny so I think I'm going to try the Periactin once more. Hope I can keep the weight on this time.

The first 3weeks of taking periactin I stayed sleepy all day long and it increased my appetite a lot. I was putting on 3-5 pounds a week. The sleepiness all day wore off around the 3rd week, and I was taking a 4mg tablet twice a day. After I stop taking it, I still had a good appetite and I didnt lose any weight my total weight gain was 40 pounds, and now Iam trying to loose at least 10 pounds. It was so easy putting on the weight with periactin but its hard getting it off!

hi i was takin periactin for a long time and trust me i gain weight those pills wrk trust me the only problem was tht everytime i stop taking the periactin is tht i lose the weight, i dnt kno how it happens because some people doesnt lose the weight..can u answer that for me plez? now i started takin the periactin again strarted today...so i will jus wait and see...because i dnt lik been slim..

yes you can take one pill a day after you see your weight gain. i started off three pill a day then two pills after the third week. in two weeks i gain some nice weight and i was pleased. then i started taking one pill a day.then soon after i stopped because my eating became regular. i hope this helps.

Hi there. I have the same problem. Periactin is working but shuld I stop using then I loose weight and my apetite disapears. It seems you have to take it for the rest of your life. I was 28 and I gained up to 34. No I wondering if is there any injection for weight gain. I am laso considering to take famly plan injection my be I will pick up some kelogs. I wanna be size 36. I want some thing thats gonna work very fast. Please help. Cape Town

hi there! well ive found sumthin that works a lil faster now but at the time when i was takin periactin it makes u feel really super hungry so that is whats gonna put the weight on.... it also makes u very sleepy (eating & sleepin = weight gain).... & my advise would be that wen u take it & start feelin hungry to make sure u eat full course meals, like a meat & 2 sides, try 2 always include a starch, like cornbread, or buiscits, or other bread like foods!! & i ordered mine frm abspharm.com , its an online pharmacy in india i believe. it took about 7-10 days 4 it 2 arrive.... but takin periactin can become kinda expensive given the fact that u have 2 take atleast 2-3 a day 2 eat good enough 2 put on the weight u want... i paid like 10 buks 4 the pills & like 12 buks 4 shippin & handleing... but u can also try this stuff im currently taking rite now, its called, EAS- Whey protien, its like a powder mix that u have to mix with milk after every full meal. i been drinkin it 4 1 week & put on bout 7 pounds already.... make sure u eat atleast 4 full meals a day as well with this stuff. i buy mine frm winn-dixie, its aboou 10-11 dollars.... they make it in chocolate & vanilla... it comes in a purple & white container.. I love this stuff!!! i got da booty that i want & thys of thunder!!! lol!!!! let me know which 1 u choose! ttyl

I took periactin years ago because i had lost weight and in 2 weeks i gained at least 7 pds which was alot for me being 5"00 but i felt so much better in my clothes, just didn,t like the sleepiness but it really works now i want to start taking it again but hesitating cuz of the drowsiness. Where else can u buy the EAS-Whey Protein and do u just take it with meals because i rather try that then the periactin only because of the drowsiness, have a 6yr old son and i cant take chance on being drowsiness and not waking up for work on time even though i know with out a doubt it will make me gain i just dont know best time to take it. Also in currently drinking weight gainer from GNC but not on regular basis cuz it constipates me but i despertly need to try something quick! HELP!

hi on last year my doctor prescibed me this same med.for my appetite I began taking it iin March I went fron 138lbs to 156 lbs by june it really works Ive always had a problem with my weight I also drink ensure plus I went from a size 4-8 and I looked good felt good and filled out my clothes.It does work and works fast.

Answer: YES YES YES! I was on "Cypro" for a while, maybe 2-3 months? I gained 20 lbs! I am 5'8'' and my natural weight had never exceeded 113 lbs. When I got pregnant with my son I weighed 125 at delivery! (Yea, not much) I VERY soon went back down to 110-113. A few months ago I finally asked my Dr. if there was some type of miracle pill to make you gain weight? And surprisingly, he said, "Yea! Sure, I'll put you on Cypro!" I was stunned!! I started taking the Rx, (at bedtime of coarse) it is an anti-histamine drug so it WILL make you sleepy! The directions on the Rx bottle will be 'Take 1 tablet daily at bedtime' I was on the 10mg formula and I shot up to 130 lbs in about 2 months!! I didnt notice any increase in my appetite, but I am naturally a varatious eater, I simply have a high metabolism and have trouble putting on weight...... Anyways, I got to a comfortable weight, so I stopped taking the Periactin ( genaric Cyproheptadine) and faster than I had gained the weight, I LOST it! PLUS some! I went from 130 lbs to 109 lbs in about 5 weeks!! I felt like shit! Long story short, I am once again back on the Periactin, I have only been back on it for about a week and a half so I havnt started checking my weight, but I know whats to come!! Good luck to anyone who needs to gain weight, Periactin (Cyproheptadine) WORKS!!

YES INDEED, periactin increases your appetite and it deffiently helps you gain weight. My doctor gave me a prescription b.c I completely lost my appetite and loss all my pregancy weight and I was a lot of pounds away from my pre-pregancy weight and I gained 40 pounds and now I cant get it off, but it does help!!!!

omg!! its so amazing how periactin works.. ive taking them for about a month and gained 11lbs my weight goal is 20lbs im 5'7 and i weigh 162lbs. i just cant help but smile when ppl mention the weigh gain..so if u want to gain weight plz consider periactin..im too pleased a little more self confident

YES! YES! YES! It works! I have ALWAYS had a problem with gaining weight. I just wanted to be healthy. I have ALWAYS been underweight. As a child I had problems with my appetite, but when I became a adult it continued. NOT NOW! I am having been using the medication. NOTE: Because it is strong, start out with one tablet a day, then work your way up to two, three a day. THIS MEDICATION WILL MAKE YOU DROWSY. Graduately increase the intake. I am 5"8" and I have always been no more than 120 lbs which is underweight, according to the CDC BMI. NOW I am 140lbs and that's only because I stop taking the medication for a while, just busy and never refilled my pill dispenser. I have been 160lbs and health according to the CDC BMI with my height and weight I can gain 164lbs and not be overweight. GET THE MEDICATION. GRADUALLY TAKE THE MEDICATION AND BE HAPPY! T.J.

hi katrina yes they do work you will gain weight in two weeks i have started with three times a day the two then one then when i was pleased with the weight i gain i stopped taking them and still maintained an apetitie. the only way i losed the weight was due to heavy stress but other than that they work. i hope this helps.

when i started Peractin I was drowsy for 3 days Thank you Jesus I didnt have a job at the time but it does wear off I didnt really notice how much weight I gained til I was in the store trying on a blouse a size 4 was too small.then i tried on a 6 that was still too small next a size 8 that was perfect I was sooooo happy and your body will get over the drowsiness

i just started taking periactin and its making me soooooooo drowsy. im suppose to take 3 a day but after i take the 1st one the drowsiness and sleepyness comes so fast i dont even take the 2nd and 3rd dose. i hate feeling drowsy and sleepy but im trying to gain weight. how long does the drowsy and sleeping feeling last and can i just take 1 a day? please help. i really need to know the answer.

How much weight should I expect for my 2.5 year to gain each week while on Periactin? She currently take 1.9ml 2-3 times a day. Is this the correct dosage amount for her. How is the dosage amount determined?

hi All. i have started taking periactin aweek ago. and it seems i finaly found some thin that works. am have been skiny(under weight) all my life. it does realy help me to open my appetie and i can see some changes in my wieght. i take 2 pericatines at once twice a day( 4 pcs each 4 mgs) so far i havent experience any side effect.

i sleep 6 to 7 hrs a day eat 2 to 3 times a day.

am hoping to see some lbs on my body, hopfully this medicen works, i ll keep updating u guys.

Could you tell me where did you buy your pills. I have been trying different sites but they always send me Cipiltan and that does not work for me. I'm tired of wasting money on useless pills could you give me a legit wesite?

I am a 5'4" 30 year old female and I've tried Periactin about two years ago for the first time and it worked like wonders for me and I am one who has never been able to pass 105 lbs and could barely even maintain the triple digits. I started taking it around April and by July I was 120 lbs and counting. The only side effect I got from the pill was extreme drowsiness, which made it very difficult to keep my eyes open at work, but it was worth every sleepy moment of my time (LOL). I stopped taking it before I reached my goal of 125 lbs because I wasn't exercising and didn't want to gain any sloppy weight. I lost the weight within a few months and went back on the pill, but it never worked the same for me again. The drowsiness wasn't as bad and it still gave me an appetite, but it wasn't as strong as when I first started taking it. I'm thinking my body became immune to the pill, but I'm not a doctor so I'm really not sure what the issue is. I was told to take half the pill (not by a doctor) instead of the whole thing and I've read to take more than one pill a day, but I'm not sure which one of these methods will work and I am in dire need to gain my weight back. HELP!!!!

hello am urrently trying to put on weight bt amk really struggling however having to read this review i can see that Periactin is helping people put on weight however this drug is for allergy relief so how can it possibly help me to put on weight will it work on me???? PLEASE HELP

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